Looking at the cityscape of downtown Tianjin, I can’t help but think back to one of my clients from years back, a young professional I guided through online coaching sessions while I was living in India. He was juggling multiple responsibilities, feeling stuck in his career, and needed a gentle but structured push toward clarity. Our work together sparked a journey that not only transformed his life but reaffirmed for me the power of life coaching.
In this article, we’ll explore what life coaching really is, how it differs from other forms of support, and whether it’s the right fit for you. By the end, you’ll have the insights and tools to make an informed decision about taking that next big step in your personal or professional development.
What Is Life Coaching, and How Is It Different From Therapy or Mentorship?
Before you can decide whether a life coach is right for you, it’s important to understand what coaching entails and how it differs from other modes of support.
- Life Coaching: Think of a life coach as someone who wants to help you find what’s best for you and then take you through everything you must do to achieve it. Using probing questions and genuine empathy, they help you figure out your deepest dreams and turn them into tasks, habits, goals, and objectives. With supportive frameworks and the care and attention you haven’t received since you were a child, you’ll have the tools and accountability you need to fully realize your unique path.
- Therapy: Therapy generally addresses psychological conditions, emotional trauma, and deep-seated issues from the past. Therapists are trained mental health professionals who help individuals work through issues like anxiety, depression, or relationship problems. While a life coach can acknowledge emotional blocks or limiting beliefs, they are not equipped to diagnose or treat mental health disorders.
- Mentorship: A mentor is someone who has experience of what you want to do and is willing to dish it out. Mentors often provide advice and share their own success stories. A mentor is more appropriate if you want industry-specific advice or technical knowledge that only someone who has done would know. They may not be able to help you with setting your goals, organizing them or moving towards a balanced life in line with your true self, you want a life coach for that.
- Self-Help: Self-help gurus can be incredibly valuable; reading books, watching motivational videos, and going to workshops or seminars can give you a strong knowledge base. I love Tony Robbins, Jim Rohn, David Goggins, and even David Allen. However, life coaching provides a level of personalization, structure, and accountability that self-help alone will never be able to.
In my twenty years of experience, I’ve seen that a life coach can act as the missing link between where you are now and where you want to be. They’re not there to fix you but to empower you. They help turn your confusion into clarity and your dreams into actionable steps.
A Self-Assessment Questionnaire
To determine whether life coaching is something you could benefit from, take an honest look at your current situation. Below is a self-assessment you can complete right now. Answer each question on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being “Strongly Disagree” and 5 being “Strongly Agree”).
| Question | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I have a clear set of personal and professional goals. | |||||
| I often follow through on my plans and rarely procrastinate. | |||||
| I feel motivated and energized about my future direction. | |||||
| I have a strong support system to help me stay accountable for my goals. | |||||
| I feel confident in my abilities and rarely second-guess my potential. | |||||
| I can identify my obstacles clearly and have strategies to overcome them. | |||||
| I am open to new perspectives and willing to learn from someone who can guide my growth. |
Scoring:
Add up the scores from each question to get a total between 7 and 35.
- 28 to 35: You have a strong grasp of your goals, motivation, and confidence. Life coaching could still help refine your strategies, but you’re likely already on a solid path.
- 14 to 27: You appear to be in a transitional phase. A life coach can offer the structure, direction, and accountability you need to move forward more effectively.
- 7 to 13: You might be feeling stuck or uncertain about your future. Maybe you want to start a new life. A life coach could be extremely valuable in helping you gain clarity, build confidence, and create actionable strategies.
Remember, these are just indicators—no single quiz can capture the fullness of your life situation. However, answering these questions truthfully can provide insight into whether you might benefit from external support.
Common Signs You Might Benefit From a Life Coach
Over the years, I’ve recognized several recurring themes in people’s lives that signal they could benefit from coaching. Below are the most common signs intertwined with stories from my clients and my personal journey.
1. Lack of Direction
You have a desire to move forward but no clear direction. During my time coaching clients remotely in China, one of my most memorable clients was a journalist who wrote for a regional newspaper. She felt deeply unfulfilled but couldn’t articulate why. Through coaching, she realized she wanted to pivot to investigative journalism, focusing on environmental issues. Having an objective sounding board helped her pinpoint her true passions, and then we mapped out a plan to achieve them.
Takeaway: If you know there’s “something more” but can’t define what that “more” is, a coach can help crystallize your goals.
2. Struggling With Follow-Through
You start the day with grand plans. By evening, you’ve spent hours scrolling through social media or worrying, and your to-do list remains untouched.
I coached a young marketing graduate virtually while living in Nepal. He loved brainstorming ideas but often faltered when it came to implementation. We focused on creating bite-sized, actionable steps and building daily accountability check-ins. Every day, I could see the productivity beast waking in him, and he would describe with enthusiasm what he had done that day. Those little daily bragging sessions completely transformed his life. He opened a restaurant with his friend and built a life he really wanted.
Takeaway: Having someone to talk to about what you’ve done keeps you accountable and keeps the actions you need to take constantly on the table, constantly on your mind.
3. Feeling Stuck in a Career or Personal Life
A sense of stagnation often manifests as boredom or disillusionment. During a consulting project in Thailand, I worked with a client who had been in the same admin role for nearly a decade. She felt stifled and yearned for change but didn’t know how to pivot. Through coaching, we explored multiple career paths, tested different skill sets, and decided on entrepreneurship. She ultimately launched her own interior design consultancy because of her desire for creativity and independence.
Takeaway: Plateuses are real and sometimes become so “sticky” that you can’t seem to free yourself. You need someone external to pull you off that plateau and onto the next level.
4. Desire for Structured Personal Growth
Some people are naturally self-motivated but crave greater structure and guidance. Life coaching provides systematic approaches, such as using OKRs, SMART goal-setting, or GROW (Goal, Reality, Options, Will) frameworks, to ensure progress is measurable and consistent.
Takeaway: If you appreciate having a roadmap and regular feedback to stay on track, a life coach can offer precisely that framework.
When You Might Not Need a Life Coach
Life coaching is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Here are some circumstances where hiring a life coach might not be the best option:
- Deep Emotional Trauma or Mental Health Issues: If you’re experiencing severe anxiety, depression, or unresolved trauma, a licensed therapist or psychologist is the more appropriate professional to seek. Life coaches are not qualified to diagnose or treat mental health conditions.
- Strong Mentorship Available: If you already have a mentor (someone with extensive experience in your chosen field) who offers you ongoing, personalized guidance, you may be receiving the support you need. However, keep in mind that a mentor’s perspective can sometimes be narrow or focus primarily on their own career trajectory, whereas a coach offers a broader toolkit.
- Sufficient Self-Discipline and Clarity: Some individuals are naturally disciplined, can set and achieve goals independently, and have a strong sense of clarity about their path. If this describes you, a coach might not be strictly necessary, though you could still benefit from occasional coaching sessions to refine strategies or navigate major life transitions.
What to Look for in a Great Life Coach
If you decide life coaching is right for you, you’ll want to find someone who is both qualified and compatible with your needs.
- Qualifications and Training: Look for certifications from recognized bodies like the International Coaching Federation (ICF) or other reputable institutions. You want to know that your coach has a standard of ethics regarding your information, and qualifications (though not a silver bullet) can do that.
- Relevant Experience: Ask about the coach’s background and specializations. Some focus on career transitions, while others specialize in relationships or wellness. My own journey took me through corporate consulting in Asia, working in China, Nepal, and Thailand, I’m adept at professional life coaching and digital life coaching but I’m not the right guy for relationship coaching, you need someone else for that. Find the right person for the coaching you want.
- Coaching Style: You need to make sure that your personality gels well with your coach. If he’s a hard ass and your quite sensitive, it might not work. Schedule a trial session, listen to their communication style, feel how task-orientated vs. emotion-orientated they are, and think, is this right for me?
- Chemistry and Trust: Personal compatibility is critical. You should feel at ease sharing your vulnerabilities and open to receiving feedback. You’re going to need to be vulnerable and open up to this person, so it must feel right.
Talking About Prices: What to Expect
Fees for life coaching can vary widely based on the coach’s experience, specialty, and geographical location. Here’s a ballpark of what you might encounter:
- Entry-Level Coaches: $50–$100 per session
- Mid-Level Coaches: $100–$250 per session
- High-End or Executive Coaches: $250–$500+ per session
Some coaches offer package deals for a series of sessions, which can be more cost-effective. Always discuss pricing upfront. It’s also worth asking about sliding-scale options, group coaching, or shorter “laser-focused” sessions for specific issues.
Cheapest Options & Using AI Tools Like ChatGPT
Group coaching sessions and online courses work for people on a budget. Group coaching provides community support and a structured program at a lower cost per individual and are great for extrovert types. While self-guided options like self help books or pre-recorded webinars are more beneficial for introverts, especially if you are disciplined.
You also have to try using AI platforms like ChatGPT. While AI doesn’t replace the nuanced, human touch a life coach provides, it can be a helpful supplement. You could use ChatGPT to brainstorm ideas, break down goals, or simulate accountability check-ins.
Getting the Most Out of ChatGPT as Your “Life Coach”
If you want to experiment with AI-driven personal development, crafting a precise prompt is essential for the best results. Here’s an example you can copy and paste: (Don’t forget to fill in the square brackets with your own information!)
Prompt for ChatGPT or DeepSeek
Context:
“I am seeking life coaching advice to transform a specific area of my life. Here’s some background:
Area of Focus: [e.g., career transition, relationship growth, health improvement, personal development]
Current Situation: [Provide relevant details about your present circumstances, challenges, or recent changes.]
Past Experiences: [Optional: Briefly mention any previous attempts or strategies you’ve tried and the results.]”
Role:
“Assume the role of a world-class, experienced life coach and personal development expert. You have over 20 years of coaching diverse clients, including those navigating significant life transitions. Your advice is compassionate yet direct, insightful, and rooted in proven coaching methodologies. Please emulate the mindset and approach of a top-tier professional life coach.”
Actions to Be Taken:
“Based on the context provided, please perform the following:
Ask clarifying questions if any key details are missing to ensure the advice is fully tailored.
Identify my primary goal(s) and the obstacles that may be preventing progress.
Develop a detailed, step-by-step action plan that includes both short-term actions and long-term strategies.
Provide motivational insights and practical tips to help me stay accountable.
Suggest tools, frameworks, or exercises that can support my growth (e.g., the “Wheel of Life” or SMART goals).
Ensure that each recommendation is clear, actionable, and personalized.”
Format for the Output:
“Present your answer using clear headings and subheadings. Use bullet points or numbered lists for action steps where appropriate. The final output should be detailed and structured, with a minimum length of 1600 words to ensure comprehensive coverage. Include examples or anecdotes where relevant, and if necessary, request additional information to fine-tune your advice.”
Target Audience:
“This advice is intended for me, aged [insert age], at a crossroads in my personal or professional lives. I may be feeling stuck, unmotivated, or unsure of their next steps. The coaching advice should be relatable, accessible, and empower me to take decisive action.”
Overall Instruction:
“Using the framework above, analyze the provided context, ask any necessary follow-up questions, and then deliver a detailed, personalized, and actionable life coaching plan. Your advice should reflect the insights and strategies of a top-tier professional life coach and be delivered in a clear, structured format that leaves no stone unturned.”
You can adapt this prompt based on your needs. The key is to be as specific as possible, which helps the AI generate more tailored advice.
A Simple Framework to Get You Started
Even if you decide not to hire a life coach right now, you can still take steps toward self-improvement. One of my favorite exercises is the “Wheel of Life”:
- Identify Key Life Areas: Draw a circle and divide it into segments, each representing areas of focus like Career, Relationships, Health, Personal Growth, Finance, and so on.
- Rate Your Satisfaction: On a scale of 1–10, rate how satisfied you are with each area.
- Reflect: Notice which areas have the lowest scores. Ask yourself why they are low and what might increase them.
- Set One Action: For each area you’d like to improve, write down a single step you can take this week.
This visual tool offers immediate insight into where you might be struggling and where to focus your energy. I find it to be an excellent starting point for anyone contemplating a life coach because it helps clarify which aspects of life need the most attention.
Conclusion: Embrace Self-Awareness and Proactive Decision-Making
As the day winds down here in Tianjin, the light recedes, and the city’s neon signs begin to glow. It’s a small reminder that transitions are constant: dusk turns to night, and eventually, night breaks into dawn. Your life, too, is in a state of perpetual transition. You have options for career shifts, finding meaning, or personal growth.
Life coaching offers you structure, accountability, and a sounding board to explore what you really want. But, it’s not for everyone.
If you choose to seek out a coach, look for one with solid qualifications, relevant experience, a compatible style, and that intangible but essential ingredient of mutual trust. Or try out using an AI coach with the prompt I gave above, just remember more details will give a more personalized response.
If you don’t want to hire a life coach just yet, or use AI exercises like the Wheel of Life might be a good starting point.
Whichever road you take, know that personal growth is a lifelong expedition—one that can lead you to remarkable places if you’re willing to explore. Safe travels on your journey. May clarity, courage, and conscious choice guide your way.
